Mequon Clog: The Blog of the Clog!

Haven't gone away completely!

Several sections of Mequon Rd no longer exhibit the drainage that they had prior to the project. While there can be many reasons for this from the slant of the underlying dirt, one would hope that the engineers could do something to alleviate this lakes.

On a completely different note, it is interesting to see the snow removal patterns. Since Mequon Rd is a state highway, this "global warming" winter has the odd situation where the side streets are often better to travel on than Mequon Rd. It seems incredibly inefficient that there isn't a contract with the city of Mequon to handle the main thoroughfare.

First, my apologies for lack of postings recently -- very busy.

While the Mayor sent a note stating that project would be completed the Wed. before Thanksgiving, evidence proves otherwise.

• I see that the white line painting at Mequon Rd/Port Rd was completed yesterday -- good thing for "global warming" to hold the typical WI weather off!
• Yesterday, getting of at Mequon Rd from Hwy 43 proved to be complete chaos. Yes, people were trying to get around the issue, but no signs indicating what to anticipate. Mequon Rd just west of the Hwy 43 offramp at the gas station was closed to one lane due to some major work on the side of the road.
• There are still numerous orange barrels on both sides of the road and equipment at various locations.
• I don't know if there is to be a right-hand white line painted on the road, but there isn't one now except at turns onto side streets.

Is the project done or not?

And a total aside -- and I've been told that this not a requirement on rework on existing roads -- I'm surprised that there was no attempt at all to put in even a narrow bike lane. It would have been a good opportunity given that many curbs were torn up. At this time, when there is an increase in biking both because of fitness and gas prices, one would think that this would have been a potential at the time of the project design. Probably would have resulted in additional gov't support to boot! Instead, it will be a huge $$ cost if that ever gets pushed forward.

I just received info from someone saying that Mequon Rd would not be finished this Fall as anticipated but will be picked up again in Spring. Anyone else hear this?

Update 11/13: While the main project is to be completed by the 21st, there will be many "islands" of construction that will continue for another couple of months.

Clog: While this was an anonymous comment posting, it highlights the confusion and problems for the typical driver

Last night, 11/7/07, I returned back to Mequon at around 10pm. I took exit 85 Northbound and got off the ramp. As I am turning left, I can see ahead bright construction worklights working on Mequon Road/Port Washington. Now for those who travel here, the most recent change for those crossing Mequon Road and Port to go West on Mequon Road have two choices: a LEFT TURN ONLY lane and the right hand side lane for going straight and making a right.

So following the signs and markings, I go to the right hand lane to go straight. The problem is the workers on Port and Mequon road have blocked off my lane in the middle of Port rd, and now I have to move in to the LEFT TURN LANE to go straight ahead.

The cars in the LEFT TURN ONLY lane realise that cars going straight will COLLIDE with their cars so they start moving over.

This debacle gets going with the green light and we have two lanes of traffic trying to work in one tight lane.

There were three workers, two standing around, no signage, guidance or clue as to what to do.

These are city streets that must be governed by some directives for health and safety.

Cars having no clear routes are going to cause accidents that could injure those working and those on the road.

Does anyone care? What does OSHA say?

Someone forwarded this link for the $10 million Port Washington Rd expansion project to be completed in 2009. Is everyone ready to go through this again?!

I was supposed to get a response from the DOT per our representatives email. Nothing for 2 weeks and counting. Great accountability.

Mr. *******,

I share your frustration with this poorly handled project. I have contacted the DOT and asked them to respond to your complaint. If I don't have a response by Thursday morning I will contact them again.

Jim Ott

To: Project Manager 167 project, DOT

I am really appalled at how the Mequon Rd. 167 project is progressing. I feel one of the major problems is the horrible traffic markings and barricade placements. I think if this could be improved it would make a big difference. I live right off of 167 and have to make a u turn to turn into my street. Every day, it is a different traffic pattern, that is virtually unmarked. During the darkness, it is truly extreme and I am thankful that I have not fallen into a pit since this project started.

Non reflective "caution" tape is NOT sufficient to alert drivers where to turn at u-turns, especially at night. It is ridiculous, and every night I am confused. This is going to get even worse as the days are shorter.

This project has become a real nightmare for those of us living on or near 167. Why can't you implement incentives to the construction companies to work at night and/or weekends, and faster. Most days I see just a few workers. The progress is ridiculously slow, and the driving conditions are not only hard on one's car but dangerous.

Just the other day, there were NO indications of a left turn lane in both directions on Mequon Road. It was finally rectified over the weekend, but not until I saw numerous near accidents and traffic tie ups because of it.

Why don't you get a traffic engineer to go out and drive the road to give you some feedback about how to better mark the road.

I am really fed up!

From an anonymous Email
My problems with this construction are too numerous to mention--I'll limit myself to a couple: In one instance my husband (with our two sons) was coming out of Stonefields one evening at dusk when he drove into a hole that was not marked clearly! He has a jeep, so was able to get out without assistance, but needless to say, they were shaken up. The same thing almost happened to me when I was coming out of Lumen Christi on a Sunday morning. The barriers are very confusing!

One night it took me 40 minutes to go from the Pavillion up to Portland Road, off of Port. Construction at the intersection of Port and Mequon was almost at a complete standstill. It turned out that only one lane was open--the left turn lane! All traffic had to stop for any car turning left--insane, at 5:30 in the evening! Clog note: See comment on recommendation to move more cars through in same time

When this construction was about to start, they said to use alternate routes--which I was prepared to do, until they started tearing up Wauwatosa Road, as well! On both Mequon Road and Wauwatosa Road I have rarely seen anyone working. I will definitely remember this when it comes time to vote. If it wasn't for the danger and inconvenience, I'd be laughing at the stereotypical slowness of this government job!

Besides the tire and axle damage that local repair shops have had an increase in (there is some offset from this project due to the tremendous loss of business from people avoiding the area), this anonymous submission is just one example of other damage.

Living on a road only accessible via Mequon Road, my family has no choice but to endure the fun that has come with all the construction. In addition to increased commute times, serious road rage, and trying (but not always succeeding) to navigate poorly marked off intersections and medians, I have had the distinct pleasure of experiencing damage to my vehicle as well. I called the DOT contact listed on the Mequon Web site just to discuss some of my concerns, including the fact that the freshly paved side of the road drivers were using was littered in large rocks from the demolition on the unfinished side. It was one such rock that was kicked up by a slow-moving compact car that managed to crack my windshield. Is it too much to expect that the road ways will be reasonably clear of debris? I suppose it doesn’t much matter to her as she never returned my call.

So, in addition to waiting what seems like a lifetime for the completion of this poorly planned project, I now have my own little souvenir from the Mequon Road disaster.

Email 1
What I would like to know is why didn't the State simply have one side of the road done first and then do the other side. They used this method elsewhere.

Also does anyone know if the completion date is still "November".

Email 2
Fortunately I don't have to use that section of highway too often. However I was on it the other day and was just incredulous to observe that a major portion of it seemed to remain relatively untouched for months! During the 15 minutes it took me to negotiate the torn up road coming off of I43 North, I mused how nice it would be if a manageable section of roadwork could be done quickly before tearing up another section.

Email 3
According to the JS story 10/26, the police are considering whether to ticket the folks who drove into the wet concrete. That is outrageous. Those folks should file claims against WDOT and the City and sue J&A Pohl. These conditions have been and are dangerous, and someone in City government (including the Police Department) should wake up.

Email 4 -- Mequon Rd near Cedarburg Rd
My wife and I were coming home one evening going East on Mequon to turn into Thiensville. That intersection is ripped up to Hades. The barrels were all over the place. The intersection was not well lighted and there were shadows. I could not discern markings on the ripped up road. I had a green light, turned left from the left hand lane with no oncoming traffic . . . and . . . poof . . . we were pulled over by the Mequon police for making a left hand turn without the "left hand turn light" being on. You have got to be kidding me. After 15 minutes at the side of the road, suffering immeasurable embarrassment we were on our way without a ticket but a warning. The officer understood the confusion of the intersection and allowed me to continue on my way (after checking my plates and license of course) and was quite apologetic about the state of the road and intersection. The Mequon police were fairly understanding.

The other day, a friend mentioned how he got a new sun roof at no charge. He forgot about the bump and ... instant head through the roof!

After about 8-10 days, the construction workers were nice enough to put a little 10 inch cone on the left-hand side of the bump up to Mequon Rd at Port Washington Rd.

Brilliant!

It is now nearly 2 weeks and nobody has bothered to smooth out this bump. Just like this project, when you think that they have to be taking care of something any day now, it just keeps on going and going. What are they doing? Communication people!!

That is not figuratively, but actually hitting the dang road. I came off 43 and went west. Just after the intersection, I hit the paved road so dang hard that I nearly hit my head on the roof of the car!!! I get home and my wife says that it is the same going onto Port Rd south from Mequon Rd.

What the heck are they doing -- trying to destroy the axles on our cars and not just the tires?!!!!

I don't want to direct this towards those doing the work, but this more than poor planning, this is the complete lack of concern for those using the road.

Mayor wake up and take control. Anyone running against you need only connect you and the road construction.

As I continue to point out the problems just in my own little section, here is another ...

While trying to take the kids to school, I tried to exit down Robin Ln onto Mequon Rd, going east. No can do. It is blocked off by construction activity and vehicles (at least they were working). So, I had to go west. I tried to get into what should be a left turn lane, after all, there is a light for one. But the lane doesn't exist at all. If I followed the laws 100%, I would of had to block traffic in the single lane for everyone to go west while I waited for the cycle of lights in order to get the official left turn light. Needless to say, I did not follow the law to the T and allowed the other unfortunate drivers to continue west without my obstruction.

As an aside, I was unable to go east on Mequon Rd for the simple reason it is illegal to make a U-turn at a controlled intersection. Why is it that we have to follow all of the detailed laws while the city and state, represented by the "construction" company, don't?!!!

Once again, it is time to go to bed, so what does a completely inconsiderate construction company for the state of WI do? Yep, they start working. Where we're they during the day?! Not in Mequon.

There might be smooth road when this is done, but people are NOT going to forget this idiocy when it comes to taking care of a residential Mequon when they are standing in the voting booth.

At 6:30pm on a Wed. night, my wife made the mistake of going west on Mequon Rd. It took 15 min. from the light by Homestead high school to get past Hwy 57!

If this had been an actual emergency .. too bad!

Speaking of which, is the city and state ready to be sued if there is an actual emergency, G-d forbid! This is the worst planning for PUBLIC safety that I have ever seen. The ONLY concern is for a company that has started months behind and doesn't give a rip.

I just noticed on the MequonNow.com site the following:

THURSDAY, Sept. 13, 2007, 3:05 p.m.
By Tom Kertscher
Road closure part of project

Mequon - Range Line Road will be closed at Mequon Road from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Mayor Christine Nuernberg said.

The closure is part of the reconstruction of Mequon Road, she said.

I've gone down Range Line in the morning and see how much traffic gets backed up there -- now where are they going to go? While it is a useful site, I can't imaging that everyone is going to it daily to see what to "look forward to"!